"Stop. Fall back. Return to the clan."
They obeyed without argument, turning back even as the sounds of pursuit echoed deeper into the forest. Even if I had let them continue, I doubted they would have secured any kills. This hunt required speed, lethality, and the ability to strike without hesitation.
None of them seemed opposed to the order.
I also held Narg back.
His ability wasn't built for coordinated combat, not in a chase like this. It was the kind of power meant to dominate a battlefield alone, the sort that turned its wielder into a walking calamity rather than a team player.
And right now, that wasn't what I needed.
As they retreated, Zivra lingered for a moment, her gaze lingering on me with a strange intensity, something unreadable flickering behind her eyes before she finally turned and followed the others back.
Something about that look bothered me.
